Purple Quahog Pearl from Rhode Island

by Tom & Mary Curtin
(Ninigret Pond, Rhode Island)

This purple quahog pearl was found in the summer of 1987.

If you look closely at a map of Charlestown, RI you will see it is right on the Atlantic Ocean and that Ninigret Pond is a tidal pond which has or had a vast quantity of quahogs.

We lived on Greenhill Pond which is connected to Ninigret and would go quahoggin most weekend in the summer so as to enjoy some RI clam chowder (which is clear) or clams casino or even raw or steamed w/garlic and crushed red pepper. All the preceeding are delicious and enjoyed here by most locals and of course the summer population.

While opening and eating some raw, I bit into what I thought was a stone. Imagine my surprise.

Prior to this I had never heard of a Quahog Pearl, and I have not seen another on in person since.

I have been told by several reputable jewelers, that it would be difficult to put a worth on it as there is no real benchmark to date.

I surprised my wife for Christmas that year by having it made into a necklace which she wears frequently and often gets quizzed about. To date, no one has offered any money for it.

I’ll entertain a reasonable offer for it.